Akiko Urasaki (浦崎 亜希子), better known by her stage name Awich is a Japanese rapper, who is often called the ‘Queen of Japanese Hip-Hop’. The name “Awich” is an abbreviation of “Asia Wish Child,” which is the literal translation of the Japanese characters of her name.

Growing up in Okinawa, which hosts many American military bases, she was introduced to American culture from an early age, and subsequently, the rapper 2Pac, who she calls her inspiration and “textbook.” She wrote poetry at 9, by the age of 14, she was rapping and recording on cassettes, and by 17 was participating in rap battles.

Before moving to America, she independently released an album titled Asia Wish Child, but it was only when she returned to Japan and joined the Hip-Hop collective YENTOWN (being the only female member), did she break into the mainstream.

Her albums 8 and 孔雀 (Kujaku) were met with critical acclaim, and after signing to Universal J, a sublabel of Universal Music, she released her major label debut album, Queendom, which scored her the first song to chart on the Japan Hot 100 with “Gila Gila.”

She has described the message she wants to spread from her music as, “You can be whoever you want to be. That’s what I tell myself and anyone listening.”